What is a highly successful solution really worth to the client?
(Ask this if the answer to the previous context-free question does not seem to justify the effort involved.)What is the real reason for wanting to solve this problem?
Should we use a single design team, or more than one?
Who should be on the team(s)?
How much time do we have for this project?
What is the trade-off between time and value?
Where else can the solution to this design problem be obtained?
Can we copy something that already exists?
Product
What problem does this system solve?
What problems could this system create?
What environment is this system likely to encounter?
What kind of precision is required or desired in the product?
Will it affect staffing?
How will you know if the product is a success?
Metaquestions
Am I asking you too many questions?
Do my questions seem relevant?
Are you the right person to answer these questions?
Are your answers official?
In order to be sure that we understand each other, I've found that it helps me to have things in writing so I can study them at my leisure. May I write down your answers and give you a written copy to study and approve?
(Use this if your communication has been only in writing so far.) The written material has been helpful, but I find that I understand some things better if I can discuss them face to face. Can we get together at some point, so we can know each other better and can clarify some of these points?
Is there anyone else who can give me useful answers?
Is there someplace I can go to see the environment in which this product will be used?
Meta-questions at the end of every conversation
Is there anything else I should be asking you?
Is there anything you would like to ask me?
May I return or call you with more questions later, in case I don't cover everything this time?
Context Free Questions
These come from Exploring Requirements: Quality Before Design by Gause & Weinberg.Process
Product
Metaquestions
Meta-questions at the end of every conversation